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Alejandro Amenábar's Agora Finally Bought for US Distribution

by Alex Billington
November 17, 2009
Source: indieWIRE

After first debuting at the Cannes Film Festival some six months ago, Alejandro Amenábar's Agora has finally been picked up for distribution in the US by Newmarket Films (who has released other indies like Death of a President and Passion of the Christ). Agora is an ambitious $60 million film that tells the story of religious conflict in Roman-governed Alexandria as the Christian and pagans battle, often violently, for religious and intellectual supremacy. The period story centers on he enlightened thinker Hypatia as well as both her philosophical and romantic conflicts. Rachel Weisz stars as does Max Minghella and Oscar Isaac.

"Alejandro Amenábar has crafted a film that not only offers a visual spectacle but also deals with religious intolerance in a way that makes this film feel modern and relevant even though it is set centuries ago," said Exclusive Media Group (who recently bought Newmarket) co-chairmen Chris Ball in a statement. "We are proud to be the ones taking this film to US audiences who will find that this film offers epic storytelling at its finest." It's not a good sign that this film has taken this long to sell, especially considering how much it cost to even make. However, I've been a big supporter of it ever since I saw it in Cannes (read my review).

Agora is not necessarily an incredible movie, but it is a good one, with beautiful set design and a great lead performance by Rachel Weisz. She was even getting Oscar buzz at Cannes, but I'm not sure if that'll hold over in this release as well. Newmarket Films will put out the film in the first half of 2010. We also featured a full-length trailer for Agora back in August as well. We'll keep you updated on Newmarket's release plans.

Filed under Indies, Movie News

From around the web:

dex

I just can't wait... looks very interesting.
http://www.montpellier-beauty.co.uk Rachel

My friend saw it at Cannes and has been telling me I really missed out! Great to hear its been bought for distribution! Woohoo!
Citizent K

This was a bad movie, where the Christians are portrayed as the bad guys. The interiors are repeated scene after scene. There is nothing epic about it, don´t espect Troy, Alexander, Gladiator, etc etc. Nothing against gays, but it its very obvious that the director,(Amenabar talks openly about his homosexuality), has something inherent against the Catholic Church and their view about homosexuality. And Agora is his medium agaings the Church. This is the main reason nobody wanted the distribution rights for this film.
http://quotationsfromacinephile.blogspot.com/ Conrad

Not the biggest fan of Weisz. Saw the trailer a while back, looks okay....
jeff p

I'm a huge Rachel Weisz fan and i can't wait. The trailer looks great.
Dylan

Rachel Weisz is one of my favourite actresses so its obvious that I am really looking forward to seeing this.
Clover

I really dug the trailer, and Ms. Weisz does a good job. She saved the first two Mummy films by herself. I still her think her role (roles) in Constantine were really top notch.
http://elCINEdejorge.blogspot.com Jorge

Hi, i just saw the film yesterdy. I love amenabar movies. That one, even it hadnt received good reviews, i loved as well. It is true that it is strange Hypatia does not have any sexual live, just emocional live with his father or Davus, or even Aspasius....but all the social and religious description is really good and very actual in the toda´s world....Rachel Weisz made a good job as well. Freedom in IV a.C something we dont have sometimes today.....